“He is a dear man and so willing to take on extra responsibilities when he’s not needed as the butler,” Mrs. Davenport said. “He’s very attentive to the students here as well, even stepping in when we need a gentleman to partner them in the dance classes we’ve just begun teaching.”
“Unless Permilia happens to be visiting,” Miss Henrietta said with a shake of her head. “I do not believe that young lady will ever be proficient with all the steps, but one must give her credit for enthusiasm. But speaking of visiting and visitors, I’ve actually come to tell you there’s someone here to see you.”
Mrs. Davenport frowned. “I thought you came to show me the invitation.”
“Well, that too, but then I was supposed to tell you that you have a visitor waiting for you in the library.”
“Is it Gertrude? Have she and Permilia returned early from Paris, and if so, has she told you anything about a wedding gown she might have found over there?”
“It’s not Gertrude or Permilia.”
Mrs. Davenport tilted her head. “It must be Edwina then. She sent me a note earlier asking if she could sit with me, a woman with proficiency in petty larceny, and ask me questions that may help her understand the criminal mind.”
Miss Henrietta wrinkled her nose. “That’s somewhat disturbing, but no, it’s not Edwina.”
“Temperance then?”
“Since Temperance lives here, she’d hardly be a visitor. Besides, she’s taken a group of young women down to the docks to paint. But no need to look so concerned, she’s taken Mr. Barclay with them, and he, I’m happy to report, is armed with more than one pistol and has gotten very skilled with using them, thanks to the efforts of our darling Harrison.”
“I’m beginning to run out of people who might be here to visit me.”
“It’s Reverend Perry.”
“Oh, of course, he must be here with the final plans for the new stained-glass window I purchased for the church—one that’s in honor of all the people who’ve entered my life, yourself included of course, who’ve become my family.”
“What a lovely gesture,” Miss Henrietta said before she offered Mrs. Davenport her arm, and together, the two ladies left the studio and made their way to the library.
To Mrs. Davenport’s surprise, once they reached the library door, Miss Henrietta excused herself, leaving Mrs. Davenport all alone.
Walking into the library, she found Reverend Perry waiting for her, and after accepting his kiss on her hand, she took a seat on a fainting couch where he joined her a second later.
A trace of unease settled over her when he didn’t bring out plans for the new window, but took hold of her hand instead.
“Is something amiss?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Not exactly, but there’s a story I’ve been asked to tell you, one that concerns your past, and one you might find a little distressful.”
“May I inquire as to who might have asked you to relate this story to me?”
“Miss Henrietta and Miss Mabel.”
“Which does explain why Miss Henrietta made herself scarce after she told me you were here.”
“It does, but do know that the sisters have your very best interests at heart, which is exactly why they hired the Pinkerton Agency to investigate the mystery of your past—or more specifically, to investigate what happened to your husband and daughter.”
Mrs. Davenport raised a hand to her throat. “But I hired investigators years ago. They were never able to uncover a single clue as to where my husband had taken Jane.”
“I’m not certain the resources of those investigators were the same as what the Pinkerton Agency has at its disposal these days.”
“But why would Miss Henrietta and Miss Mabel go to such bother on my account?”
Reverend Perry smiled. “Because you’re their friend, and they obviously cherish that friendship and want to do what they can to make your life more fulfilled.”
Mrs. Davenport pulled a handkerchief out of her sleeve and dabbed her eyes. “I am fortunate indeed to have been blessed with such wonderful friends, a gift I’m sure you’ll agree was given to me after I made my peace with God.”
“You always possessed the ability to form fast friendships, Mrs. Davenport. You simply didn’t believe you deserved them, but it’s wonderful to see you adopting a more accepting attitude. But now, before I continue, you must decide whether you want to know what the detectives found, or if you’d prefer for your past to remain in the past.”
Mrs. Davenport lifted her chin. “I need to know.”
